Station: [28] The dog-companion of people

“That dogs are a man’s best friend is a claim mostly made by people. Dogs may well see things differently. At any rate, they already had to learn the hard truth that they are only welcome as long as they serve a purpose in the 16th century: as loyal herd dogs, guard dogs or busy rat catchers. Roaming dogs are not quite as welcome, to put it mildly. In some towns there were even dog beaters who would comb the streets on set days and kill all free running dogs. Outside city walls, people would frequently resort to self-help: this dog skull excavated in Horst has a number of indentations, evidently cause by a nail club. Someone apparently made quick – but by no means painless – work of a dog in the 16th century.”